Do Old and Antique Newspapers Have Any Collectible Value?
October 25, 2013 by GuyHeilenman
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It is not often I travel to Yahoo for answers to some of the more meaningful questions of life: Where did we come from? What is the purpose of Life? Do old newspapers have value? However, I recently came upon a post on Yahoo Voices which did a decent job of handling this last question. It begins:
You’ve Happened Upon a Stack of Old Newspapers…Some Have Historic Headlines! Are They Worth Anything?
Let face it, old newspapers don’t get much respect. In today’s world, they’re generally seen as material for the recycler. And years ago, many libraries simply tossed them out after converting them to micro or digital files. But do old or antique newspapers have any collectible value? The answer is a definite…maybe!
Newspapers have been around almost as long as the Gutenberg Press. And in general they’ve been seen as expendable–meant to be read a time or two and then thrown away, or used for fish wrap or some other convenient purpose. But newspapers also have tremendous historic value… (read more)
(Unfortunately, the Yahoo article has since expired. If anyone has discovered great articles regarding the value of newspapers, please let us know and we’ll consider adding it. In the meantime, feel free to use the www.RareNewspapers.com website for comparables.)
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Comments
808 Responses to “Do Old and Antique Newspapers Have Any Collectible Value?”
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Hello Christie – Your best bet is to send the newspaper title and date (perhaps even a pic or two if you can) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. Good luck.
Hello Bill – I just checked our database, and this date is not a key collectible date. What you have appears to be a “birthday” paper (from the day the original recipient was born).
Is the 15 August 1947 issue printed in English? A New York Times can go for as much as $110. You would think a paper from India would go for more than this, but it doesn’t always work that way. You need a buyer he wants it.
I saw your date correction and responded through your follow-up note.
Right now they are simply too common. Sorry.
We are not aware that it has value, but without having it in hand it is impossible to tell. feel free to send the date, title, and a brief description to timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Without having it in hand it is impossible to know for sure. Feel free to send the title, date, and a brief description to timothy@rarenewspapers.com.
Sorry, but we only have knowledge of the actual newspapers themselves. Good luck with this.
Feel free to send detail (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Feel free to send details (titles, dates, descriptions of the issues – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Feel free to send details (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Hello Edmund – Only the absolute key events have value: D-Day, VE-Day, VJ-Day, Pearl Harbor, Hitler death, Atomic bomb, etc.
Typically not – unless it is from Dallas. Then it could have value up to about $40-$60 (if in excellent condition).
Can you confirm the date?
Feel free to send details (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com
It sounds like a Day You Were Born newspaper – value only as a gift.
Feel free to send details (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Hello Robin – Sorry it took so long to get back to you. We have never sold these, but I can’t imagine they have value to collectors.
Unless it is from Dallas, typically no.
Hello, I have The Washington Post Friday, July 25, 1924 Newspaper pages 1-8. Condition is fair, dusty; however, all articles are legible. I also have The following collection of Marshall’s Illustrated Almanac ( Pocket Compendiums ) – volumes 1899, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1914. I also have the Souvenir Inauguration Washington DC March 4, 1933 Franklin D Roosevelt Medallion. I desire to sell all of these items. Thank you. ps. phone (443) 698-2243
Hello Edwin – Please forward your note to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. Thanks.
OK hello I have a Norfolk ledger- dispatch dated Tuesday afternoon July 31 st 1945 18. Pages five cents says planes destroy 207 maps vessels good condition so it’s worth less .
Hello Tony- It is impossible to know for sure without seeing it, but based upon our 40-year record of collectible event-reporting, this does not appear to have collector value. Sorry.
I have a complete Vol. 1, No 1 “The Atlanta Times” news paper dated June 12, 1965 and wondered if it has any value. Price.05. The Header says “HELLO WE’RE HERE”. It’s pretty cool but does it have any value in the day and age?
Shelley
Hello Shelley – 20th century Vol. 1, # 1 issues do not typically have collector value. Perhaps, if you could find them, someone who was part of this first printing would be interested???
I have a old newspaper dated 17. 04.1912
Titanic
Hello. I have a newspaper dated Dec. 7, 1941 The Jersey Journal. I would like to know the value of this paper. Is there a website I can go to?
Thank you.
Hello,
I have an August 15,1945 Philadelphia Inquirer (PEACE HEADLINE) newspaper. It is in good to very god condition. Any idea as to worth? Thank you.
Hello
I have a question about an old newspaper to buy, it is the 1977, its sevent edición histórica headlines, campus frontera partes of the los Ángeles Time presidencial elecciones of the twentieth century of 1900 to 1976.
Has a copy of the main en trance of each presidente.
I donde if this has any value newspaper.
Than you.,
Laura v.
Hello Stuart – Please send details (Title, date, and condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Hello Maureen – Please send details (title, date, and condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com
Hello John – In very good condition these go for about $50 (or so) retail. If you go to the the following link, you will see three similar issues we currently have available – different titles, but similar: http://www.rarenewspapers.com/list?q%5Bdate_range_end%5D=2016-01-19&q%5Bdate_range_start%5D=1500-01-01&q%5Bquery%5D=8%2F15%2F1945&q%5Bsearch_method%5D=All+Words
Hello Laura – It is impossible to say for sure without having it in hand, but based upon our records, this does not have collector value.
I found a metal box with about 30 newspapaer dating back to the early 60’s. I was wondering where I can go in the albany ny area to sell them?
Hello Mike – We have no idea, but feel free to send a list (titles, dates, and condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.
I have a large box of full newspapers, all with famous head lines. What do you need pictures of to help figure value. Thank you
We have what is apparently the final edition of Current News – a precurser to Weekly Reader – published in 1928. Does this have any value?
I have two complete newspapers from the Tulsa Tribune of the day Elvis died. One is in good condition, the other, not so much…..any approximate prices. Also have the paper of when John Wayne passed. Any information I’d appreciate!
Hello Stephanie – If you could start by grabbing a representative sample (perhaps 5-6 issues) and send details (newspaper title, date, condition, and a pic) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com, he will let you know what he thinks.
Hello Toni – This is not something we are familiar with – so unfortunately we have no idea. Sorry. I wish we could help.
Hello Paige – As of now (things could change over time), the only issues regarding Elvis’ death which have collector value are those from Memphis.
Hi I have Fort Wayne News (Indiana), Fort Wayne Journal, and Ashley-Hudson Times from 1895 through 1954. Pretty much every paper they printed (10 pallets worth). My father-in-law purchased from an old microfiche company that went out of business in the 90s. My husband and I are just now starting to go through them is there anything in particular we should look out for while documenting them?
Hi! I have some original inmate newspapers from the Leavenworth Penitentiary (1920s) called the Leavenworth New Era. They were sent to my great-grandmother from my uncle whom was a soldier that was incarcerated there. I’m having a hard time finding any information or if there is any value to them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
i cant remember the name of the newspaper itself but i have an old article and on the front page is a headline about marilyn monroe and some other stars on dating older men…do you think it would be worth anything? its in pretty good shape..besides the color is now i believe yellowish
I have a newspaper dated 1974. The front page is about President Nixon quitting and Gerald Ford succeeding him as the 30th president. Is it worth anything.
Hello Mindy – Are you looking to sell them? if not, what do you mean by “documenting” them? If you are making a record of what you have, people typically look for titles, dates, and a statement on condition. However, before you put too much effort into the project, 99% of the issues will not have value – key historical events being the exception. If you do want to (or are considering) selling them, you may want to contact Tim Hughes directly at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.
Hello Susan – Please contact Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.
Hello Tracey – It is too hard to say without having it in hand, but typically the only newspapers that are collectible are those regarding her death. There are a few exceptions, but even in those cases we are talking about $50 or so if the content is special and the issue is complete and in good condition.
Hello Rachel – We retail these in great condition for about $25 – but they rarely sell. Too many people still have them.
Hi! I have just recently come across what seems to be the front page of the a 1939 Nottingham Evening Post …Dated Sunday 3rd September 1939 with the main headlines…
“Britain At War With Germany..Costing one penny…
I wondered if you could tell me if there is a well of authenticating it…